Directed by
Craig Brewer
Made by
Netflix
Discover the intricate plot of Dolemite Is My Name (2019). From unexpected twists to emotional highs and lows, this detailed summary breaks down every moment to give you a deeper understanding of the film’s story.
In the vibrant backdrop of 1970s Los Angeles, Rudy Ray Moore (Eddie Murphy), a determined artist grappling with obscurity, works in a record store, yearning for his eclectic music to make it to airwaves via the in-store radio station. By night, he transforms into an MC for Ben Taylor (Craig Robinson) and his musical ensemble at a local club. Despite his enthusiasm, when he approaches the club owner for a chance to perform comedy, he faces rejection.
One fateful day at the record store, a homeless man wanders in, loudly reciting rhymes and dropping the name “Dolemite” into the air. Inspired by this encounter, Moore devises an electrifying stage persona around the stories he’s heard, becoming Dolemite himself. Adorned in flamboyant pimp attire and wielding a distinctive cane, he steps onto the stage, captivating the audience with a comedic and audacious routine called “The Signifying Monkey.” Backed by Taylor and his band, the crowd roars with approval.
Needing funds to record his comedy album titled “Eat Out More Often,” he turns to his aunt for support and enlists his friend Jimmy Lynch (Mike Epps) to capture his performance in front of a live audience at his home. Soon, Moore sells copies from the trunk of his car, swiftly gaining traction and drawing the attention of a record company eager to promote his work. Driven by enthusiasm, he plans a tour through the Deep South to capitalize on his newfound success. In Mississippi, he meets a single mother named Lady Reed (Da’Vine Joy Randolph), whom he persuades to join his tour.
Celebrating their launch, Moore and his crew catch a viewing of The Front Page, laughing at the disconnection between their experiences and those of the majority-white audience. This dissatisfaction fuels Moore’s ambition to star in his own film as Dolemite. After facing rejection from a film executive, T.I. as Walter Crane, he boldly decides to pitch the project himself by securing an advance from his record label, which warns him about the repercussions of failure.
Forging ahead, Moore enlists Jerry Jones (Keegan-Michael Key), a playwright, who, despite early hesitations, agrees to script the film. Their journey takes them to a strip club where they entice D’Urville Martin (Wesley Snipes), who reluctantly accepts the role with the caveat of directing the project himself. With the assistance of film students from UCLA, including Nick (Kodi Smit-McPhee) as the cinematographer, they convert an old hotel into a dynamic film set.
As they work on Dolemite, a wild blend of kung-fu and Blaxploitation, Moore’s inexperience with martial arts presents humorous challenges. Although the production team enjoys their time creating the film, Martin grows disheartened and walks away after filming wraps, proclaiming nobody would want to see it. Faced with a string of rejections from distributors, Moore contemplates returning to touring but remains unenthused.
In Indiana, a DJ played by Chris Rock (Chris Rock) inquires about the film’s release, stirring curiosity and opening new possibilities. Seizing the moment, Moore promotes the film, pouring resources into a grassroots campaign that leads to an excited crowd waiting to see it. The overwhelming turnout boosts his spirits.
The anticipation garners the attention of a Hollywood executive from Dimension Pictures, who previously declined the project but now sees its potential. Arriving at the premiere dressed as Dolemite alongside Lady Reed and the cast, Moore navigates a pivotal moment where the opportunity for collaboration and shared profits emerges.
The night of the Hollywood premiere begins with anxiety as the cast encounters negative critiques but transforms into jubilant ecstasy when they are greeted by a massive, cheering crowd. While those involved enter the theater to catch the film, Moore engages and entertains the audience outside, embodying the spirit of Dolemite.
The film concludes with an epilogue that highlights Rudy Ray Moore’s journey, celebrating his legacy as a trailblazer who continued to tour and star in Dolemite sequels until his passing in 2008. An enduring mark is left, as he is heralded as the Godfather of Rap, with clips from the original Dolemite playing to round out the homage.
Track the key events of Dolemite Is My Name (2019) with a comprehensive timeline. Perfect for understanding the sequence of major plot points, this feature offers clarity on how the story unfolds.
Rudy Ray Moore's Struggles
In the vibrant landscape of 1970s Los Angeles, Rudy Ray Moore tirelessly works at a record store, dreaming of making his eclectic music known. By night, he performs as an MC for Ben Taylor’s band, but he feels the frustration of obscurity when he is rejected by the club owner for a chance to showcase his comedy talents.
The Birth of Dolemite
One day, a homeless man enters the record store and begins reciting rhymes, mentioning the name 'Dolemite'. Inspired by this encounter, Moore crafts a vibrant alter ego, adopting the persona of Dolemite, complete with flamboyant attire and a signature cane, ready to captivate audiences.
First Performance
Transitioning from a record store employee to a performer, Moore takes the stage as Dolemite for the first time. He delivers a bold and comedic routine called 'The Signifying Monkey', which delights the audience and signals the start of his rise to fame.
Fundraising for the Comedy Album
To finance his first comedy album, 'Eat Out More Often', Moore asks his aunt for financial support. He enlists his friend Jimmy Lynch to film his live performance at home, marking the beginning of his journey to becoming a household name.
The Success of the Album
After recording his album, Moore begins selling copies from the trunk of his car, quickly gaining traction among the public. His unique style attracts the attention of a record company, eager to promote his work and help him establish a national presence.
Touring the Deep South
With newfound success, Moore embarks on a tour through the Deep South. During this journey, he meets Lady Reed in Mississippi and convinces her to join him on the tour, further expanding his performances and creative network.
Aspirations of Filmmaking
After a night out watching 'The Front Page', Moore's dissatisfaction with typical Hollywood narratives fuels his ambition to create his own film. Despite facing rejection from film executives like Walter Crane, he decides to pitch his own project and secure funding from his record label.
Gathering a Production Team
To bring his vision to life, Moore recruits playwright Jerry Jones to script the film. They also approach D'Urville Martin in a strip club, who reluctantly agrees to direct the project himself, setting the foundation for a uniquely styled production.
Filming Dolemite
The crew kicks off production of the film 'Dolemite' at a transformed hotel, collaborating with UCLA film students, including cinematographer Nick. The filming process intertwines humor with martial arts, but Martin soon grows disillusioned and leaves the project behind.
Facing Distribution Challenges
After completing the filming, Moore struggles against a series of rejections from distributors, leaving him to reconsider a return to touring. However, his passion for 'Dolemite' keeps him pushing for its release, despite dwindling optimism.
Buzz from DJs
While in Indiana, a DJ portrayed by Chris Rock inquires about the release of 'Dolemite', igniting curiosity amongst potential viewers. This moment of interest reinvigorates Moore’s campaign to promote the film, opening doors to new opportunities.
Grassroots Campaign Success
Moore pours his energy and resources into a grassroots campaign to promote 'Dolemite'. The efforts pay off as crowds line up in excitement to see the film, rejuvenating his spirits and bolstering the film's visibility.
Hollywood Premiere
The premiere of 'Dolemite' approaches, generating a mix of anxiety and excitement. As Moore, dressed as Dolemite, walks the red carpet alongside Lady Reed and the cast, they experience the tension of potential success as they face a largely skeptical audience.
The Final Reception
During the premiere, initial negativity in critical reviews is overshadowed by the joy of an enthusiastic crowd. Moore engages the audience outside the theater, playing to the spirit of Dolemite while the cast prepares to watch the film unfold.
Rudy Ray Moore's Legacy
The film wraps up with an epilogue celebrating Rudy Ray Moore's enduring impact on comedy and film until his passing in 2008. It highlights his role as a pioneering figure in the entertainment industry, credited as the 'Godfather of Rap'.
Meet the characters that bring Dolemite Is My Name (2019) to life. Dive into detailed profiles of the cast and their roles, exploring their motivations, relationships, and arcs within the story.
Rudy Ray Moore
Rudy Ray Moore is a determined and charismatic artist who rises from obscurity to become a cultural icon. With an unwavering passion for performance, he expertly fuses comedy and music into a unique persona, Dolemite, resonating with audiences. His story is a testament to his relentless pursuit of success and impact within the entertainment industry.
Ben Taylor
Ben Taylor is a supportive figure in Rudy's journey, providing both friendship and musical accompaniment. As an MC, he helps bridge the gap between Rudy's aspirations and the stage, highlighting the importance of collaboration in the arts. His role emphasizes loyalty and the significance of community in achieving artistic goals.
Lady Reed
Lady Reed is a single mother and aspiring artist whom Rudy recruits for his tour. Her talent and determination exemplify the journey of many women in the entertainment industry seeking recognition. Together with Rudy, she navigates the challenges of performance and representation, adding depth to their collaborative efforts.
Jimmy Lynch
Jimmy Lynch is Rudy's comedic sidekick and ally, providing both support and comic relief during their journey. His enthusiasm and friendship add a lighter touch, showcasing the camaraderie among those pursuing their dreams. He embodies the spirit of loyalty and creativity as they navigate their artistic challenges together.
Walter Crane
Walter Crane, a film executive, embodies the industry gatekeepers that Rudy faces in his quest for success. His rejection signifies the obstacles artists must confront, yet his eventual interest marks the pivotal shift that leads to potential collaboration. His character shows the complexities of the relationship between passion and business in entertainment.
Jerry Jones
Jerry Jones is the playwright who reluctantly joins Rudy's film project. His initial doubts about the project reflect the skepticism often faced by creative endeavors, yet his eventual involvement showcases the power of collaboration in overcoming challenges. He adds an element of legitimate artistic vision to the project.
D'Urville Martin
D'Urville Martin is a pivotal figure who brings a wealth of experience to the project, directing and acting in the film. His reluctance reflects the apprehensions faced by seasoned artists navigating new territories. His character enriches the film with expertise while highlighting the complexities of creativity and production.
Uncover the settings of Dolemite Is My Name (2019), from iconic locations to the time period that shapes its world. See how these elements add depth and context to the movie’s narrative.
Time period
1970s
The 1970s was a transformative decade characterized by significant changes in music, film, and social dynamics in America. This era saw the rise of Blaxploitation films, urban culture, and a rich musical landscape, paving the way for diverse voices like Rudy Ray Moore to break into mainstream entertainment.
Location
1970s Los Angeles, Deep South, Mississippi, Indiana
The film is set against the vibrant backdrop of 1970s Los Angeles, a hub of cultural and artistic innovation. The Deep South is pivotal in Rudy's journey, where he connects with audiences and recruits talent like Lady Reed in Mississippi. Indiana serves as a turning point where the excitement about the film build up, showcasing the cross-regional impact of his work.
Explore the core themes of Dolemite Is My Name (2019). From its commentary on social issues to its emotional undertones, delve into the deeper messages woven into the film’s story.
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Perseverance
Rudy's journey exemplifies perseverance against the odds, as he refuses to accept rejection and reinvents himself as a comedic persona. His determination to produce his own film despite numerous setbacks illustrates the struggle to achieve one's dreams in a challenging industry. This theme resonates strongly as he ultimately finds success through sheer grit and ingenuity.
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Creativity
Creativity is at the heart of Rudy's transformation into Dolemite, showcasing his ability to draw inspiration from his surroundings. His innovative blending of comedy, music, and performance art breaks traditional boundaries and showcases the spirit of artistic expression during a time of cultural change. The film celebrates the impact of creativity in shaping identity and narrative.
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Empowerment
The movie highlights empowerment, particularly among marginalized communities seeking representation in film and media. Rudy's journey to create his own movie serves as an inspiring narrative for aspiring artists who often feel overlooked or undervalued. The film showcases the power of stepping into the spotlight and owning one’s story.
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